Text of Deval Patrick's convention speech

[paineinthearse]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=3658579&mesg_id=3658579

[TayTay]

1. I am undecided on the Gov race

I listened to all the speeches and Deval Patrick blew the doors off the place. He impressed me, and the people in my delegation (1 Middlesex, conservative Lowell area) as a gifted speaker. I thought he was easily the best of the Gov. candidates.

The only thing that held people back from Patrick was the feeling that he might not serve out a full term. This is a perception problem, not a problem with what Patrick was saying. There is a great fear that if a Dem becomes Pres in 2008, Patrick might leave for an Admin office. (This is obviously not his fault, but he needs to deal with this. Some people would be more comfortable with him if he made a pledge to serve out a 4 year term if elected. This is collateral damage on him from others. I know this is unfair, but it was the issue that was discussed at parties and such after the speech.)

I don't think Galvin is going to run. I think it is going to be a two-man race between Reilly and Patrick. Patrick is a much more gifted speaker and he hit all the right notes at the Con. Most people I talked to had never heard of him before and were very, very impressed. He also is anti-death penalty and will not make idiotic pronouncement against raising taxes before he even gets into office. I think he has a strong chance. He would have an even stronger one if he could sooth the reasonable fears of some folks about being abandoned by yet another Governor. (And yes, I am still undecided, but leaning now.